Yesterday, today, tomorrow

Last Sunday, I attended the traditional home gathering of beloved children's author Aytül Akal, which brings together children's literature stakeholders and artist friends every year. The theme was "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow," and the gathering was filled with writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, artists, and countless literary workers. For those who appreciate the value of intergenerational connection, this gathering was filled with unforgettable moments. We discussed our songs, poems, works, memories, upcoming projects, and our goals and dreams. We exchanged gifts. The gifts we gave each other weren't just store-bought items or online purchases. They were valuable keepsakes and artifacts that have earned a place in our lives, hearts, and libraries, and that we believe will be cherished in their future. The gathering had a somber aspect for everyone. While preparing the invitation, Aytül Akal had created a networking group. Painter Mustafa Delioğlu, who was dealing with health issues at the time, was also part of the networking group. Unexpected complications arose during the treatment process, and unfortunately, we lost the esteemed artist on August 27th. He was a close friend of Aytül Akal. Mustafa Delioğlu's unique paintings adorned the walls of his home. I wanted to hear the artist speak from his friends and acquaintances who attended the reception. They graciously shared their feelings. Delioğlu, whose drawings and artistic touches span fairy tales, poems, short stories, novels, comics, and many other genres, was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2013 and the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2022. Those who love children's books will gain a clearer understanding of the artist's prolific output if they pay even a little attention to the children's books on their shelves.

Aytül Akal (Author): Mustafa Delioğlu is a very old friend of mine. In 1995, when I started writing children's books and founded Uçan Balık Publishing, I started looking for an artist. I asked my friend Fatih Erdoğan for a recommendation. He said I could meet Mustafa at an exhibition organized by the Illustrators Association. I'd seen Mustafa's pictures in the Kırmızı Fare magazine Fatih founded. At the exhibition, he appeared as a bearded, serious man. I couldn't decide whether to meet him or not. (Smiles) It turns out he was such a sweet person! He had a colorful, mischievous child inside him. Over time, he illustrated nearly two hundred of my books. I might be the author he illustrated the most. His studio was in Cağaloğlu at first. I wanted my books to have colorful illustrations. He was also painting somber, medieval-style paintings at the time. I looked at them and insisted he use vibrant colors. (Smiles) My artist friend Ender Dandul, Mustafa, and I were all rummaging around the area. Later, he moved his studio to Kadıköy. Writer Ayla Çınaroğlu, my friend since 1991, lived on the same side of the Kadıköy River. Because my office was far away, we could only meet on weekends in Kadıköy. Mustafa used to dedicate Sundays to his wife. I would organize our large gatherings on Saturdays so she could come too. Her passing deeply affected me. There was so much more she could have accomplished. From now on, we will keep her alive through the works she left us.

Fatih Erdoğan (Author, Publisher): Mustafa Delioğlu is important to me in several ways. We had a friendship spanning over 55 years. We were very close. There's not much to say here. It's all about the pain! The other is his contribution to children's literature. When the story of the last 50 years of Turkish children's literature is written, it can't be complete without mentioning Mustafa Delioğlu. It would be incomplete. It's a great loss. As the children's literature community, we are deeply saddened.

Doğan Gündüz (Author) : The first book Mustafa Delioğlu officially illustrated was Para Dolu Damacana (Para Full of Water). He mentioned it in an interview I conducted with him. It was a book recommended by Erdal Öz in 1976 and translated into our language. Considering the offer to illustrate came in 1975, he was a friend of ours who had been illustrating children's books for 50 years. It was a time that shaped children's book illustration and highlighted the importance of illustration in children's literature. He was an artist who constantly renewed and improved himself. A great loss.

Mavisel Yener (Author): Mustafa was a bluebird. He left us his colors, his breath, his lines. We will remember him with love and color. He is always in our hearts, he hasn't gone anywhere, he is here with us!

Hicabi Demirci (Illustrator, Cartoonist): The death of an artist is undoubtedly tragic. If that artist touched the heart of a child, the pain is even deeper. Considering his time, Mustafa Delioğlu's coming from Erzincan to fight for art in a place like Istanbul is admirable. It's a testament to his passion. Only with passion and discipline can you become such a productive artist.

Çiğdem Odabaşı (Drama Instructor, Writer): I believe she was a free-thinking mind, as well as an artist. She was someone who stretched boundaries while transforming her art, maintaining flexibility in her ideas, lifestyle, and intellectual realities.

Kadir İncesu (Journalist, Photographer) : The more you got to know Mustafa Delioğlu, the more you loved him. To feel the hidden love in his heart, the power of that love, you absolutely had to meet him and exchange a few words with him, even if only briefly. He was an artist who transformed his silence into a scream through his paintings and drawings.

Süleyman Bulut (Author): So you crossed out the world and extended your line to infinity! In our last conversation, we decided where we would raise our glasses to life, Mustafa! Now there's a deep emptiness, an indescribable pain!

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To be together "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow", we must protect our art, our artists, and our memory. Aytül Akal, with this in mind, wrote in one of the poems she dedicated to her guests:

"Time

I left the most beautiful summers behind me

I forgot springs

I agreed to the bird and the shawl

Windy hair

I called autumn

I adorned myself with memories…” she says.

It is much more elegant, much more stylish to carry the weight of time and separations not as a shackle of regret, but as an accessory filled with sadness and gratitude.